Tennessee has hired Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as its head coach, the school announced Thursday.
Jeremy Pruitt has been named the 26th head coach of the Tennessee football program.
Welcome to Rocky Top, Coach Pruitt! 🍊🏈
STORY » https://t.co/umAqTlyJ8D pic.twitter.com/tTDYmtBtXr
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 7, 2017
Pruitt has served as defensive coordinator at Alabama since 2016. He also served as defensive coordinator at Georgia from 2014-15.
Since taking over as the leading man for the Crimson Tide defense, Alabama has ranked first (2017) and second (2016) in total defense.
Tennessee had thrown around multiple names for their head coaching job, including ESPN color analyst Jon Gruden and Washington State head coach Mike Leach. But after athletics director John Currie reportedly had a deal in place with Leach, the school fired Currie and handed the coaching search over to new interim AD and former Vols head coach Phillip Fulmer.
Fulmer then moved on to hiring Pruitt. The Alabama DC still has some things to iron out in his contract. He will also continue to coach the Crimson Tide defense in the College Football Playoff.
Tennessee still hammering out final details with Jeremy Pruitt, but both sides expect him to be officially announced as the Vols' head coach on Thursday. I'm also told the plan is for him to pull double duty and stay on as Alabama's DC through the College Football Playoff.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 7, 2017